Industry News

The Singapore International Jewellery Expo (SIJE) 2025 is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary from 10 to 13 July at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands. This milestone event will be the largest in its history, featuring over 320 brands from more than 25 countries, spread across three expansive halls. The exhibition will cover over 10,000 square metres, showcasing a diverse range of jewellery from rare heritage pieces to contemporary designs.

SIJE 2025 will officially open on 10 July with a ceremony that includes the Singapore Jewellery Design Awards (SJDA) presentation, a fashion runway showcase, and a programme designed for approximately 15,000 trade buyers and jewellery enthusiasts. The event will feature seven distinct Communities, offering curated experiences for all jewellery lovers.

Highlights include the Brilliante Jewellery Design Competition, celebrating Singapore’s 60th year of independence, and the Italian Pavilion, which will display exceptional Italian craftsmanship. Additionally, the Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting Roadshow, led by Paola De Luca, will provide insights into future luxury and jewellery trends.

Visitors can participate in the 20th Anniversary Draw for a chance to win a Colombian Emerald Ring worth $19,000 (S$25,999), alongside other luxury prizes. The event also offers exclusive shopping rewards and lifestyle perks, including hotel and dining discounts for registered attendees.

Admission to SIJE 2025 is complimentary, with pre-registration available online. As Southeast Asia’s jewellery market continues to grow, with projected revenues surpassing $9.4 billion in 2025, SIJE remains a pivotal platform for industry innovation and cultural exchange.
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Cat Paradise Singapore has announced the launch of a new cat sitting service, offering in-home care by trained professionals for cat owners across the city. This service aims to support pet owners who require assistance whilst away from home, enhancing the centre’s comprehensive feline care offerings.

The launch coincides with a significant milestone for Cat Paradise, which has successfully facilitated the adoption of over 150 rescued cats through its cageless adoption centre. This unique adoption model allows potential adopters to interact with cats in a homely, cage-free environment, reducing the likelihood of mismatches and returned adoptions.

The centre’s adoption process is thorough, ensuring that each cat is placed in a stable and caring environment. Prospective adopters are guided through responsible pet ownership, screened for home readiness, and required to sign adoption contracts. Adoption donations contribute to covering medical and upkeep costs, supporting the centre’s ongoing rescue efforts.

In addition to adoption services, Cat Paradise offers cat boarding facilities, with many adopted cats returning to board, reflecting the strong relationships between adopters and the centre. The organisation has also partnered with online pet retailer ExpressPetSupplies.sg, which donates a portion of its proceeds to fund care for more cats.

The new cat sitting service complements Cat Paradise’s existing offerings, aligning with its mission to provide consistent, long-term support for feline welfare. For more information on their services, visit their website.
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London Corporate Partner Damian Adams has been awarded a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List. This accolade recognises his significant contributions to the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, where he has served for more than two decades.

Adams has held numerous key roles within the Chamber, including Chair of BritPack, Chair of the Energy & Utilities Business Group, and Vice-President. His leadership was pivotal during his presidency from 2022 to mid-2024. At Watson Farley & Williams (WFW), Adams specialises in corporate transactions in maritime, energy, and infrastructure sectors. He joined WFW in 1997 and spent over 24 years in Singapore before returning to London in 2024.

The British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, established in 1954, supports UK business interests in the region. Since his return to London, Adams has continued to serve as a Board member and acts as the Chamber’s UK representative, aiding businesses expanding into Singapore and Southeast Asia.

WFW Managing Partner Lindsey Keeble expressed delight at Adams’ recognition, stating, “His commitment to Anglo-Singapore relations, corporate and commercial expertise and effective leadership are evident in all his endeavours.” Adams himself remarked, “I am deeply honoured to receive an MBE. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone I have worked with in the Chamber.”

The King’s Birthday Honours List celebrates individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the UK globally, acknowledging their dedication and contributions to British communities and interests worldwide.
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SC Ventures has announced the merger of its incubated venture, PointSource, with FourTwoThree, a smart action platform, to enhance climate action capabilities. The merger, pending regulatory approval, aims to leverage PointSource’s climate data platform to support enterprise organisations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their climate transition efforts.

PointSource, developed by SC Ventures, specialises in making climate data usable by mapping across various data sources, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks, and monitoring tools. This integration will enable FourTwoThree to transform climate disclosures into actionable outcomes, addressing the challenges faced by institutions in achieving net-zero goals. Harald Eltvedt of SC Ventures expressed pride in the venture’s progress, stating, “I’m proud of what the team has built, and even prouder to see it find a new home with FourTwoThree.”

Backed by NatWest Group, National Australia Bank, and SC Ventures, FourTwoThree will empower SMEs to assess their carbon emissions, identify reduction strategies, and access necessary financing. The platform was launched during London Climate Action Week, highlighting the urgent need for investment in SME decarbonisation, as reported by Cambridge University, which estimates a $50t (£50t) requirement.

This strategic merger underscores the commitment to bridging the gap between climate ambition and action, providing a robust framework for financial institutions and corporates to navigate transition finance confidently.
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Tanoto Foundation has announced funding for two significant medical research projects in Singapore, focusing on diseases that disproportionately affect Asian populations, including aggressive cancers and young-onset Type 2 diabetes. These multi-year initiatives are designed to generate data-driven insights to accelerate diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and inform public health policy.

The projects, conducted by the National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore General Hospital, aim to address the rising rates of cancer and diabetes in Asia, which remain under-researched due to a lack of region-specific data. Imelda Tanoto, a member of the Board of Trustees at Tanoto Foundation, highlighted Singapore’s strong research institutions and diverse population as key factors in its leadership in medical science.

The cancer research, led by Dr Jason Chan, will investigate four types of cancers prevalent in Asia: breast cancer in Asian women, T/NK-cell lymphomas, bile duct cancer, and rare Asian cancers. Dr Chan emphasised the importance of understanding these cancers’ molecular and genomic landscapes to uncover new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities.

In parallel, Dr Daphne Gardner’s project at Singapore General Hospital will develop a next-generation risk prediction tool for Type 2 diabetes in young adults. This tool will incorporate non-traditional indicators such as body fat distribution and continuous glucose monitoring, aiming to identify new risk signals and tailor tools to Singapore’s population.

These initiatives underscore Singapore’s growing role in advancing precision medicine for Asian populations, supported by its robust clinical infrastructure and genomic capabilities. Tanoto Foundation’s commitment to these projects marks a significant step in improving healthcare quality and health standards across the region.
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Confluent’s latest report reveals that whilst Singaporean IT leaders are eager to embrace AI-driven transformation, challenges in data ownership and a shortage of AI skills are slowing progress. The 2025 Data Streaming Report, which surveyed over 4,175 leaders across 12 countries, underscores the importance of data streaming platforms (DSPs) in accelerating AI adoption and business innovation.

The report highlights that 90% of Singapore IT leaders view DSPs as crucial to achieving data-related goals, with these platforms acting as the “nervous system” of modern enterprises. Suvig Sharma, Regional Head for Asia at Confluent, noted, “Data streaming platforms are quickly becoming a business imperative for modern enterprises.”

Key findings from the report indicate that Singapore businesses face significant challenges with data timeliness and quality, affecting their ability to become real-time enterprises. Despite these hurdles, 87% of IT leaders consider DSPs a strategic priority, with benefits such as product innovation and faster time-to-market cited by 85% of respondents.

Confluent has also introduced new capabilities in its Confluent Cloud, including snapshot queries and IP filtering for Apache Flink, aimed at enhancing data processing and security. These advancements are designed to provide faster insights and bolster decision-making processes.

As Singapore continues to push for AI integration, overcoming these foundational challenges remains critical. The report suggests that DSPs will play a pivotal role in enabling enterprises to harness the full potential of AI, driving significant business value and innovation.
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The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has announced the launch of tenders for three significant sites at Upper Thomson Road, Dorset Road, and Telok Blangah Road under the first half of 2025 Government Land Sales programme. These sites are expected to collectively yield approximately 1,765 residential units and 2,000 square metres of commercial space. The tenders will close on 23 October 2025, 9 October 2025, and 4 November 2025, respectively.

Upper Thomson Road (Parcel A) is set to benefit from its direct connection to the Springleaf MRT station and proximity to green spaces like Springleaf Nature Park. The site is expected to attract buyers seeking tranquil living environments with convenient transport links. Justin Quek, CEO of OrangeTee & Tie, anticipates 2 to 5 bidders with the highest bid ranging from $700 to $770 (S$950 to S$1,050) per square foot (psf).

Dorset Road offers a strategic location near Farrer Park MRT Station and City Square Mall, making it appealing for families and young professionals. The area is well-served by amenities, including schools and hospitals. Quek predicts 4 to 7 bidders for this site, with bids expected between $810 and $880 (S$1,100 and S$1,200) psf.

Telok Blangah Road marks the first private residential site in the Greater Southern Waterfront transformation. Its proximity to the city centre and recreational areas like Sentosa positions it as a prime location. The site is expected to attract 4 to 6 bidders, with bids anticipated between $880 and $950 (S$1,200 and S$1,300) psf.

These developments are poised to meet the growing demand for residential properties in Singapore, offering diverse options for potential buyers and investors.
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The Global Property Expo, a premier international real estate investment event organised by JLL, is set to take place from 18 to 20 July 2025 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore. Supported by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the Expo aims to connect potential buyers with developers from across the globe, offering insights into overseas property investments.

The Expo will feature a diverse range of exhibitors, including prominent developers from the UAE, MENA, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, and Asia. Notable participants include DAMAC and Emaar from Dubai, JLL Residential from the UK, and Gurner Group from Australia. This marks the first time many of these developers will exhibit in Asia, highlighting the growing interest in expanding their networks within Southeast Asia.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore various property types, from luxurious residences to eco-friendly buildings, and engage directly with developers, financial experts, and legal advisers. The event promises over 30 expert-led panels and discussions, offering valuable insights into international property investment strategies.

The Expo is designed to attract high-net-worth individuals, private investors, and wealth managers, with an expected attendance of 3,000 to 4,000 qualified participants. Registration for the event is free, providing an accessible platform for those interested in global real estate opportunities.

For more information, visit the Expo’s digital press room, which offers a range of supporting materials, including press releases and fact sheets. The event promises to be a significant opportunity for investors looking to diversify their portfolios internationally.
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The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has released three government land sales (GLS) sites for tender in Upper Thomson Road (Parcel A), Dorset Road, and Telok Blangah Road. These sites, collectively, have the potential to yield 1,765 new private residential units. Wong Siew Ying, Head of Research and Content at PropNex, commented on the mixed interest expected across these plots, with the Telok Blangah Road site anticipated to attract significant attention due to its location on the former Keppel Golf Course site.

The Telok Blangah Road site is poised to offer 745 new private homes and is the first private housing plot on the former Keppel Golf Course site. The area is within walking distance of the Telok Blangah MRT station and close to amenities such as VivoCity mall and Labrador Nature Reserve. Wong noted that the site could appeal to both owner-occupiers and investors, particularly HDB upgraders from nearby areas. The site is expected to attract 5 to 6 bids, with a top bid land rate of $1,250 to $1,350 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr).

The Dorset Road plot, offering 425 residential units, is near the Farrer Park MRT station and several schools. The area is set to benefit from the upcoming Piccadilly Galleria mall. Wong expects the site to draw 4 to 5 bids, with a top bid land rate of $1,100 to $1,200 psf ppr.

The Upper Thomson Road (Parcel A) site, which can accommodate 595 residential units and 2,000 square metres of commercial space, is linked to the Springleaf MRT station. The URA has provided more flexibility for this site, which may encourage interest after it previously drew no bids. Wong anticipates 1 to 2 bids, with a top bid land rate of $900 to $1,000 psf ppr.
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FullOut, a Singapore-based activewear brand, has unveiled its Ribbed Dusty Rose Gold Collection, designed to empower women with stylish and functional activewear. The collection, launched on 24 June 2025, features sports bras, leggings, and shorts crafted from ribbed fabric, offering comfort, a flattering fit, and vibrant colours like dusty rose gold and periwinkle blue.

The Ribbed Activewear Collection, a collaboration with New York’s Kynd Society, is tailored for medium to high-intensity workouts. The fabric’s exceptional elasticity ensures flexibility, whilst its compressive fit smooths body contours. The complex knit structure enhances breathability and durability, making the pieces ideal for activities such as HIIT, running, and yoga.

FullOut, part of the Velo Velo group, aims to blend global quality with regional relevance, catering to the Asian market’s specific needs. The brand’s ethos, derived from the dance term “fullout,” reflects a commitment to maximum energy and performance. This is evident in their apparel, which motivates and empowers women, whether at the gym or a casual brunch.

In addition to the new collection, FullOut offers an affiliate programme inviting yoga, Pilates, spin, dance, rowing, climbing, and MMA instructors, as well as professional athletes, to join their community. Participants receive a 25% discount on merchandise and can earn a 15% commission on sales through their unique affiliate links. Customers are encouraged to share their looks on Instagram using the hashtag #GoFullOut for a chance to be featured on FullOut’s page.

The Ribbed Dusty Rose Gold Collection is now available at FullOut and Velo Velo MY, bringing globally recognised activewear to the Asian market.
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